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THERE'S been a real attitudinal change to the market this year, and it's coming from both sides, says Ben Wilson of Ray White Lifestyle.

"From both a buying and selling perspective, the attitude reflected across the hinterland and Coast is that we're at the bottom of the market," he said. "It seems buyers are putting offers across at a level where sellers need to consider how serious they are about selling."

The feedback Mr Wilson and the team at Ray White Lifestyle are getting from all offices is that buyers are much understand the choices available to them.

He also noted that smart sellers are those who are proactively choosing to buy and sell in the same market.

However, the biggest hurdle in the hinterland is what Mr Wilson describes as attempting to collate the marked variety between different properties and their respective price points.

"We're seeing a lot of different types of residences all sitting at the same price," he said.

Looking to the future, it's a slow recovery that he sees carrying us forward from 2012, across 2013 to 2014.

In terms of price points, he warns that just because we are at the bottom does not necessarily mean sellers can dramatically up their price.

"The halcyon days of 2003 and 2007 prices are a long way away," he said. "The reality of this for agents is that sellers know this.

"Sellers shouldn't need an agent to tell them what their house is worth; there's enough evidence for them to see that. What they need to do is accept that reality.

"Sellers who are living in the past will be on the market for a long time."

The good news is that buyers are back.

"Buyers are back in the market and transactions are being made," he said. "And they're transactions that are being made from willing sellers to willing buyers, who are brought together by a good marketing campaign."

David Gamble, principal of Maleny and Hinterland Real Estate, has seen most of his positive results this year during the auction process, with good marketing to complement.

"We have had wonderful recent success with our auctions," he said. "The last three properties we took to auction all sold under the hammer, thanks to well-planned marketing campaigns, the expertise of our leading sales consultant Julie Reimers, and the assistance of auctioneer Gordon Macdonald."

He said successful sellers, both now and in the future, will be those who are prepared to meet the market and invest in a suitable campaign to lift their properties above the rest.

"Genuine, serious sellers will be those who take their properties to experienced agents,''Mr Gamble explained.

"They need someone experienced who will spend the majority of their time working hard to achieve a result."

His advice to vendors is this; "Have faith in your property, and your agent, and be prepared to back both with a well-planned marketing campaign."

Vendors also need to listen to the market with regard to price, he said, noting that the hinterland has experienced what he terms "one of the toughest years on record".

He pinpointed a general lack of confidence in the market as one influence.

"There are also some buyers who are yet to sell their current home," he said. "They are therefore unable to purchase another, whether they are upgrading or downsizing."

In regards to the older demographic, he has noticed an increase in the number of people wanting to downsize yet still remain in the same area.

"Many people are coming from larger acreage and wanting to move down to smaller lots. Yet they still want to remain in the place they know and enjoy."

He believes there are a number of reasons behind this.

"Most are seeking something that requires less maintenance work, allows travel, or they want to buy a less expensive property and top up the bank balance in order to help their children and grandchildren in some way."

With a marked increase in rental listings and sales at auction over the past 12 months, Mr Gamble and his team are confident 2013 will be a better year for everyone.

"We will be working toward that goal," he said. "We are looking forward to increasing our market share in 2013, both in sales and property management."

For more on property, pick up your copy of Domain free in Saturday's Sunshine Coast Daily.